Dengue surge jeopardises anti-polio efforts

Health dept withholds sanitary workers patrol amid rising cases

RAWALPINDI:

The District Health Authority's (DHA) decision to withhold the services of sanitary patrol workers has loomed ominously over the forthcoming anti-polio campaign, slated to begin on October 2.

This unforeseen turn of events has triggered a sense of urgency, compelling health officials to swiftly find a solution to this pressing issue. In response to the alarming spread of dengue, the health department has formally communicated to all responsible tehsil health in-charges, stressing that the resources dedicated to combating dengue cannot be diverted to support the impending anti-polio campaign.

Consequently, the department is now calling upon a fresh cadre of workers, alongside other government employees, to step forward voluntarily for the polio campaign without any financial burden on the government.

Read ‘Polio-free Punjab still a distant dream’

The repercussions of this decision have reverberated through the ranks of anti-polio campaign leaders and department officials, igniting a sense of urgency. With just 11 days remaining until the anti-polio campaign's kick-off, a formidable challenge presents itself - the recruitment of up to 10,000 workers to fulfil critical roles. This task demands meticulous preparation and worker allocation within a mere 72-hour window.

Rawalpindi deputy district health officer has disseminated this pivotal letter to all stakeholders, leaving those responsible for the anti-polio campaign pondering their next moves. While consideration has been given to enlisting other government employees for the cause, securing such a substantial workforce on short notice remains a daunting prospect.

To address this critical juncture, the deputy commissioner has summoned a crucial meeting to chart the path forward. Notably, the district administration has cited the rampant dengue outbreak as the reason behind the reluctance to allocate anti-dengue workers to the polio campaign.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2023.